Police had arrested Pujari Sahadev, 45, of Bhimdatta Municipality-10 on the charge of discriminating Sanju Nepali, 28, of Bhimdatta Municipality-5 on September 1, 2022, on the day of Hrishipanchami. He was released on bail on September 12, 2022.
The complaint against Sahadev was filed on September 4 at the District Police Office.
The accused was arrested immediately after the complaint was filed.
A case of caste-based discrimination was filed against the accused from the District Attorney’s Office on September 12 and the bench of Judge Dhurba Kumar Shah release him with the bail of NPR 10,000.
On the day of Rishi Panchami, during the time of worship at Bhujela Ghat of Mahakali River, when she asked the priest for completion of the rituals, the priest stated that she was a Dalit, stopped her from doing the puja and insulted her publicly.
Under Article 24 of the Constitution of Nepal, under the right against untouchability and caste-based discrimination, no person shall be subjected to any kind of untouchability or discrimination in any private or public place on the basis of his origin, caste, community, occupation, or physical condition.
Similarly, in Sub-section 1 of Section 7 of the National Criminal Code 2074, caste-based discrimination and untouchability are punishable by imprisonment for three months to three years or a fine of NPR 1,000 to 25,000 will be charged or both.